Cigar filter



Aug. 11, 1964 M. E. MoRcl-:AU

CIGAR FILTER Filed Feb. 6, 1963 United States PatentO' 3,144,023 CIGAR FILTER Marcel E. Morceau, 111-39 76th Road, Forest Hills, N.Y. Filed Feb. 6, 1963, Ser. No. 256,561 2 Claims. (Cl. 131-189) This invention relates to a cigar filter that is removably disposed on a cigar.

Some of the`disadvantages of smoking cigars are the effect of the smoke on the health of the smoker; discoloration of `teeth due to contact with cigar leaf; effect on the smokers breath; effect of the cigar tars on the saliva, etc.

One object of this invention is to overcome these disadvantages and to provide the smoker with a pleasing dry smoke which may be more Vhealthfu It is another object of this invention to provide a ilexible cigar sheath for frictional engagement with the mouth end of acigar.

It is another objectto provide a removable resilient plastic filter sheath which may be sold combined with cigars as a one-piece unit or which may be selectively removed from the cigar and inserted thereon as desired.

It is a further object to provide a flexible sheath which is not punctured by the pressure of the smokers teeth.

It is another object to provide a removable resilient plastic cigar sheath adapted to selectively receive a filter cartridge.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent upon reading the following descriptive disclosure of several embodiments thereof and as shown in the accompanying drawing in which;

FIG. 1 is an exploded elevation View, partly in section, showing a conventional cigar w'th an end well or hole, the filter sheath of this invention in transverse section and a cylindrical cartridge for insertion, if desired, into the sheath,

FIG. 2 is a transverse section of a modified sheath having a single aperture in the cone of the centrally located interior cartridge compartment,

FIG. 3 is a section view of another modified sheath disposed on a cigar,

FIG. 4 is a section view of yet another modification of a cigar filter sheath having the filter element disposed exteriorly and about the central compartment,

FIG. 5 is a partial section view of yet another modification having no central compartment and FIG. 6 is a broken-away section view of a modified sheath having an annular locking lip for holding a filter cartridge within the central compartment.

This invention is a removable resilient and exible sheath made of suitable rubber or plastic such as polyethylene and the like. The sheath is slightly and suitably stretchable so that it may be slipped over the end of a cigar and firmly yet gently seize the said end so as not to be easily dislodged by teeth pressure. The diameter of the sheath is substantially that of the cigar which it embraces.

Preferably the color of the sheath is that of the brown color of the cigar and preferably it is provided with veins like those of a cigar leaf.

This inventive filter for cigars may be used with conventional cigars having holes at the mouth end and may be slipped onto the cigars at the factory to be sold as a one-piece assembly to the public or the filter may be purchased separately and thereafter attached to the cigar as desired. The sheath is of such inexpensive construction as to be thrown away after use. Yet it may be re-used a plurality of times, with or without use of filter cartridges.

The plastic sheath is preferably made to blend with the cigar to provide a unitary appearance and preferably is attached by the manufacturer of the cigar. Thus the 3,144,023 Y Patented Aug. 11 1964 ice.

The central compartment may be provided with a single aperture at its apex and/ or with several laterally disposed apertures, preferably located near the apex of said compartment (FIG. 3). Such a location of the apertures permits the filter cartridge to provide its maximum filtering effect and also prevents liquid tars from entering the smokers mouth in as much as they first have to travel the full length of the cartridge before leaving the filter.

Moreover, use of this invention prevents the smokers saliva from contacting the cigar and it also prevents pieces of broken tobacco filler from entering the smokers mouth.

Turning now to the drawing, a cigar 10 having a conventional end opening or well 11 is provided with a substantially round resilient rubber or plastic molded sheath 12 having a soft relatively thin pliable exterior wall 13 integral with an inwardly directed central cylindrical compartment having a relatively thick wall 14 and an end apex cone 15. The cone 15 is preferably disposed beneath the biting area on the exterior wall 13. A plurality of apertures 16 are axially disposed in the compartment wall 14 adjacent the cone 15 at the inner end portion of said wall. A cylindrical cartridge 17 of suitable conventional porous cellulosic material or inorganic diatomaceous earth, adapted to remove deleterious tobacco ingredients, is disposed in the compartment wall 14 and held therein by frictional pressure thereon.

FIG. 2 is a transverse section of a modified sheath filter tip showing a single aperture 18 disposed in the apex cone 15. As in FIGS. 2 and 3 the other cylindrical thin Wall 13 preferably extends beyond the apex so that smokers lips do not touch the cigar itself.

In the modification of FIG. 3 the cigar sheath is provided with a plurality of lateral holes 16 as well as an apex hole 18. Where one hole 18 is provided all the smoke drawn into the smokers mouth passes through the entire length of the cartridge 17. If in smoking a cigar a cartridge 17 becomes clogged with tar moisture and the like, it is easily replaced and another cartridge 17 inserted into the compartment.

FIG. 4 shows another form of a cigar filter wherein the filter medium is disposed exteriorly of the central compartment.

ln this modification a sheath 20 having an exterior suitably flexible cylindrical wall 21 is provided with a conical integral central compartment 22 having a plurality of suitably disposed lateral apertures 23 therein. The cigar 24 is of the blunt end type and is preferably provided with an end aperture to engage the end of interior wall 22. The filter medium of this modification is made of the same conventional composition as described for filter 17. HOW- ever, the configuration of the medium is that of an annular hemisphere or a modified doughnut shape to fit snugly into the end of sheath 20. Clearly, smoke from the burning cigar 24 must transverse the filter 25 before it can enter the smokers mouth.

In FIG. 5 there is shown a modification wherein a hemisphere of conventional tobacco filter material 28 is disposed in the sheath 26 and a blunt end cigar 29 is inserted into this sheath. The sheath is apertured at 27 so that smoke will traverse the entire length of the filter 28 in ordinary use.

FIG. 6 is a broken-away detail section View of a modied sheath 30 wherein an integral circular locking lip 31 is disposed in overhanging relationship over the exit aperture of the cylindrical central compartment wall 14. In this modification thel cartridge 17 is disposed Within the circular compartment Wall 14 and behind the circular lip 31. Where a locking lip 31 is used the cartridge 17 is not easily displaced once its inserted in place.

Clearly the use of this invention provides a removable sheath having a removable lter cartridge so that the smoker may, at his option, smoke with or Without a lter cartridge or even with or Without the sheath.

Moreover, the cartridges 17 may be of different composition so that they may be provided With menthol to give a cool smoke or they may be provided with llavor components to give a pleasant sweet smoke. Also the lilters may be of predetermined quality to selectively remove tars, nicotine, smoke, etc.

This invention is of a broad scope, accordingly it is not to be limited to its many illustrative examples herein.

I claim:

1. An integral mouthpiece for a cigar having a hole in the mouth end thereof comprising a relatively long flexible outer relatively thin plastic sheath portion adapted to snugly embrace the mouth end of said cigar, an inner relatively short inner thick walled cylindrical tubular portion integral with said sheath and disposed interiorly thereof and adapted to be snugly inserted in said hole of said cigar, said tubular portion having a conical adapted to receive the mouth having apex pressure of a smoker and at least one aperture at the inner end thereof, said tubular portion being open to the atmosphere to selectively receive a cylindrical lter therein.

2. The mouthpiece of circular locking lip disposed in over the tubular aperture.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS claim 1 comprising an integral overhanging relationship 

1. AN INTEGRAL MOUTHPIECE FOR A CIGAR HAVING A HOLE IN THE MOUTH END THEREOF COMPRISING A RELATIVELY LONG FLEXIBLE OUTER RELATIVELY THIN PLASTIC SHEATH PORTION ADAPTED TO SNUGLY EMBRACE THE MOUTH END OF SAID CIGAR, AND INNER RELATIVELY SHORT INNER THICK WALLED CYLINDRICAL TUBULAR PORTION INTEGRAL WITH SAID SHEATH AND DISPOSED INTERIORLY THEREOF AND ADAPTED TO BE SNUGLY INSERTED IN SAID HOLE OF SAID CIGAR, SAID TUBULAR PORTION HAVING A CONICAL APEX ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE MOUTH PRESSURE OF A SMOKER AND HAVING AT LEAST ONE APERTURE AT THE INNER END THEREOF, SAID TUBULAR PORTION BEING OPEN TO THE ATMOSPHERE TO SELECTIVELY RECEIVE A CYLINDRICAL FILTER THEREIN. 